Personalized by David Palmer
One of the many truths of the kingdom of God is that if I will honor God, He will honor me. If, however, I dare to treat Him disrespectfully, I will also be treated as least in His kingdom. The initiative rests with me. My response to God determines His response to me.
Eli had been the priest of Israel for many years, and he knew the standards for righteous living that God required. Yet Eli faced a dilemma, for his sons were living in direct opposition to God. As their father, Eli had to decide whom he would honor. He could not defer to his immoral and ungodly sons and also exalt the God he served. By default, Eli chose to honor his sons, for he did not insist that their behavior conform to God’s standards. Eli would have pleaded that he still loved God but that he simply could not bring honor to God with his family. Yet God viewed Eli’s behavior differently (1 Sam. 3:13-14). Eli revealed his own heart when he failed to honor God before the people of Israel by the way he dealt with his sons. This is why God punished Eli and his sons severely (1 Sam. 4:17-18).
God is not pleased if I praise Him at church but not at my local coffee shop. It is not acceptable for me to revere God when I am with other Christians, but not in my school or neighborhood. He expects me to honor Him completely—with my words, with my actions, with my life. If I honor Him, He will honor me!